If you read books on wheel building like "The Bicycle Wheel" by "Jobst Brandt" or take a wheelbuilding class, out of all three components (the hubs, rims, and spokes), the spokes are the most important. Cheap spokes do not hold tension as well and are prone to rust. Will bend easily, etc. As long as you go stainless steel, you should be okay. they are even better than the light carbon fiber ones since they wont break as easily.

Also, according to Sheldon Brown (https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html)

"Cheap wheels are built with chrome-plated ("UCP")or zinc-plated ("galvanized") carbon-steel spokes, which are not as strong, and are prone to rust."

He also has a good piece on the difference between spoke counts. The weights arent a big difference between spoke counts. lower spoke counts require heavier rims, so the weight savings is nominal.

I don't know if spokes are the MOST important. But i know that they are very important.

I've read The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt, what of it?

I would use 36 spokes for that rim or any other similar shallow cross-section rim. Shallow rimmed wheels are traditionally built with 36 spokes for a good reason...durability.

Deeper rims not only produce laterally stiffer wheels, they are vertically stiffer and distribute your weight through a larger portion of the rim, thus reducing spoke fatigue. This is why shallow cross-section rim wheels tend to be built with high spokes counts (to reduce fatigue and prevent spoke breakage) and why newer deeper rim wheels can have dramatically fewer spokes and run higher spoke tension.

I don't know how rough your ride, but you can probably get away with 32 spokes, but you run a greater risk of premature spoke breakage. If you were to use a deeper rim, such as a Deep V or Kinlin 30mm, you could go as low as (24-28) spokes and still have a very stiff durable wheel.


Edit: while we are on the subject of durability, use double butted spokes if at all possible. DB spokes are not only lighter, then are more fatigue resistant. Your wheel will be lighter and last longer...its a rare instance of having your cake and eating it too.

Thanks mihlbach... for the info and for not tearing me a new ******* like I've seen you do to some others recently.

The set I'm getting comes pre-built from VeloMine with typical DT stainless spokes (which is fine with me). I've settled on 36 spoke M13s, as the CR18s are most likely wider than I'm looking for.

Wow...17.5 id? That's pretty wide.

Yes, but not very well. That's what I currently have on the front of my touring bike and the rim certainly looks a little too wide for the tire. (I had a 35 mm on there but when I put on the fender for winter it wouldn't fit so I switched back to a 23mm I had lying around.)

I'd stick with the M13 rim for your use.

That's what I thought. Thanks everyone!

Stuff like this is why I continue to love BikeForums.

x2 great info mihlbach


Scrodzilla: sounds like a great choice and i 2nd the DB spoke comment. cant wait to see pictures!

36. Why not, if you can choose?

Yeah...I just originally thought they only came 32 and figured I'd get the consensus before my wife went ahead and ordered them.

Sorry for the late reply. I am running 35c Nokian studded winter tires and 32c Kenda's in the summer. They would fit a 25c just fine but I would not go smaller.

No prob, Deshi. I figured 25s were as small as I could go. I went with the 36-spoke M13s...my wife ordered them and they showed up this afternoon. I can't techincally have them until Xmas but I've got a pair of 23c Panaracer Pasela TGs waiting for them to be unwrapped.

36

Lovin' the old avatar Scrod!

I'm off topic?
I'm not off topic.
No, you're off topic!!
You stfu!
I will **** you up!!!

...I run 36 spokes.

Yeah...it was too weird with a different avatar. I couldn't find any of my older posts!

I managed to crack the box open and sneak a peek at my wheelset. I'm stoked.